Sunday, August 19, 2012

Less than 1%

"War is an experience that keeps on giving-addiction, divorce and flashbacks."

Suicide rates among our military men/women are at an all time high.

It's hard to imagine many of the things that these young men and women have experienced.

It's hard for most Americans.

"At any given time in the past decade, less than 1 percent of the American population has been on active military duty, compared with 9 percent of Americans who were in uniform during World War II."

"The result is a military far less connected to the rest of society. Typically when our nation is at war, it's a front-burner issue for the public. But with these post 9/11 wars, which are now past the 10-year mark, the public has been paying less and less attention."

Another reminder: the 24/7 national hot line for ANY service men/women contemplating suicide is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

Please help to pass the word.

Reference: November 25, 2011 NY Times: As Fewer Americans Serve, Growing Gap is Found Between Civilians and Military.

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About the author

My first blog, Patients Say the Darndest Things, is now finished.
My new blog, Life without T, is about the sudden loss of my beloved wife and my children's amazing mother, Tori, at age 45.
I have never cried so frequently or so intensely as over the last two months. I don't know if putting thoughts down on paper will help in any way, but if so, it will be welcome.
Inspirational quotes for those dealing with grief remind us that each day is a gift. In the future I may be able to actually believe these words again.
I was so blessed to have had a wonderful marriage for just short of 23 years and my children literally had a perfect mother.
Losing my wife at this time was honestly something I had never even considered remotely possible.
My wife left us a wonderful legacy. We just need to continually remind ourselves of that as we work through this profoundly sad time in our lives.